Movable suspension device

ABSTRACT

A horizontally movable suspension device for supporting a workman alongside the wall of a building or similar structure having a securing member engageable with the parapet of a building which contains means for moving the device along the parapet. A supporting device is attached to the securing member, and a workman&#39;&#39;s support structure is maintained by the supporting means.

United States Patent Inventor Harold M. Shaw 205 Mozart Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104 Appl. No. 25,840

Filed Apr. 6, 1970 Patented Nov. 16, 1971 MOVABLE SUSPENSION DEVICE 7 Claims, 3 Drawlng Flgs.

U.S. Cl 182/36, 182/ l 50 Int. Cl E043 3/08, E04g 3/ 10 Field of Search 182/36, 37,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 654,780 7/1900 Burchill 182/37 1,423,998 7/1922 Camp 182/38 3,053,494 9/1962 Stoll 248/228 3,491,851 1/1970 Dutcher 182/36 Primary E.\-aminerReinaldo P. Machado Attorney-Charles Y. Lackey ABSTRACT: A horizontally movable suspension device for supporting a workman alongside the wall of a building or similar structure having a securing member engageable with the parapet of a building which contains means for moving the device along the parapet. A supporting device is attached to the securing member, and a workmans support structure is maintained by the supporting means.

PATENTEDunv 16 ml 1 3.620.331

HARQLD M. SHAW raw/My.

attorney MOVABLE SUSPENSION DEVICE BACKGROUND, BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a movable suspension device especially adapted for use in supporting a workman in an elevated position adjacent a vertical building wall without the use of ladders or staging and is constructed so as to allow the workman to move selectively the structure both horizontally and vertically to a desired position along the wall.

On prior art suspension devices, it has been generally necessary to use ladders, stages or scaffolds, often in conjunction with carriage devices which require particularly constructed tracks along the building parapet. These prior art devices many times involve large and heavy apparatus requiring two or more workmen to locate the structure at the desired area. They also require the supported workmen to remove themselves from the apparatus when they desire to relocate it to another area of the building wall.

The present invention eliminates the problems inherent in prior art devices by obviating the need for a special construction or adaption of the building and making it possible for a single workman to set up and use the device without removing himself when a change of location is desired.

From the previous remarks, it will be apparent that a primary object of this invention is to provide a suspension device which requires no special constructed tracks or other components on or cooperating with the building structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a suspension device of the type described which is simply constructed and which can be handled easily by a single workman during use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a suspension device of the type described which allows a single workman to adjust the position vertically and horizontally of the structure and occupants along a vertical wall without isolation from the device.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent after a consideration of the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE DESCRIPTION FIG. I is a perspective view of the present invention installed over the parapet ofa building.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, enlarged view of the present invention showing reinforced edges and adjustable features found to be advantageous.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the present invention in a cooperative relationship with the parapet wall ofa building.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, reference character 4 indicates a building having a parapet or fire wall 6 circumscribing its roof and a plurality of windows 8 at various elevations. The suspension device comprising the present invention includes, in one embodiment, a pair of arcuate members 10 and I2 adjustably secured together by screws 14 or other suitable means so that the resulting configuration fits over the parapet 6 in the manner shown in FIG. 1. A pair of slots 16 contained in at least one arcuate member 10 permits adjustment of the members to accommodate parapets of varying widths.

The interior surfaces 18 and 20 of arcuate members 10 and 12 support suitable means for permitting the members to be freely moved along the parapet or fire wall. In the embodiment illustrated herein, a plurality of rollers 22 are mounted on the interior surfaces 18 and 20 by screws 24 or other suitable means so that three surfaces of the parapet are engaged in the manner best shown in FIG. 3. By engaging the two vertical surfaces and the upper surface as illustrated, the arcuate members when properly adjusted for the parapet width, continue to grip the parapet securely even though a weight is attached to one side as subsequently described.

On one depending arcuate member leg 26, referred to hereinafter as the outside leg, a supporting device such as a rope 28 or other equally suitable flexible member is secured preferably by looping through two apertures 30 and 32 as shown in FIG. 2. The supporting device is then cooperatively associated with a device adapted to achieve vertical movement such as the block and tackle assembly 34 shown in FIG. 2.

A support device 36 is movably engaged with the block and tackle assembly 34 and is constructed to support at least one workman in a convenient position for accomplishing whatever duties are necessary adjacent the building wall. A simple bench-type scaffold is functionally adequate; however, a variety of other similar devices such as a b'osen chair, bucket, ladder and the like, is equally effective.

The device is operable by the workman or workmen suspended in the chair 36 who, when horizontal movement is desired, simply use their feet against the building wall to urge the structure horizontally to the desired location. The rollers 22 revolve freely and the device responds to the operators selective urging. Obviously the operator has the ability to elevate or lower the seat 36 by controlling the block and tackle assembly 34 or whatever other adjustable device is provided.

To insure the safety of this device, it has been found desirable to provide reinforcing members 38 at appropriate locations such as the corners of the arcuate members as shown in FIG. 2. This additional strengthening feature would permit the use of this structure in accommodating a plurality of workmen or even workmen using relatively heavy machinery along the vertical wall of a building.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrates the use of a suspension device along the parapet or fire wall of a building, obviously this structure can be utilized on any structure having an upper wall edge such as a bridge, tower, fence and the like, wherein the arcuate members can be adjustably positioned over this upwardly extending edge. While the single embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable suspension device comprising:

a pair of adjustably secured slotted and identical arcuate members for securement along the parapet of a building; means for moving said member along the building parapet; supporting means secured to one of said arcuate members; and support means secured to said supporting means, each of said arcuate members having a pair of arcuate reinforcing members secured thereto.

2. A suspension device as claimed in claim I wherein said moving means comprises roller means.

3. A suspension device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said supporting means is adjustable and said support means is secured to said adjustable supporting means and selectively movable vertically upon adjustment of said supporting means.

4. A suspension device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said supporting means is an adjustable cable and said support means is a support platform secured to said cable and selectively movable vertically upon adjustment of said cable.

5. A suspension device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pair of adjustably and releasably secured arcuate plates includes an inner and outer plate.

6. A suspension device as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said plates are L-shaped and said roller means is affixed to the interior surface of said plates.

7. A suspension device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a handle secured to one of said slotted arcuate members and wherein said slotted arcuate members are releasably secured by a threaded connector. 

1. A portable suspension device comprising: a pair of adjustably secured slotted and identical arcuate members for securement along the parapet of a building; means for moving said member along the building parapet; supporting means secured to one of said arcuate members; and support means secured to said supporting means, each of said arcuate members having a pair of arcuate reinforcing members secured thereto.
 2. A suspension device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said moving means comprises roller means.
 3. A suspension device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said supporting means is adjustable and said support means is secured to said adjustable supporting means and selectively movable vertically upon adjustment of said supporting means.
 4. A suspension device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said supporting means is an adjustable cable and said support means is a support platform secured to sAid cable and selectively movable vertically upon adjustment of said cable.
 5. A suspension device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pair of adjustably and releasably secured arcuate plates includes an inner and outer plate.
 6. A suspension device as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said plates are L-shaped and said roller means is affixed to the interior surface of said plates.
 7. A suspension device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a handle secured to one of said slotted arcuate members and wherein said slotted arcuate members are releasably secured by a threaded connector. 